Holiday happenings are everywhere this weekend

Carol Anderson and Debbie Swistak, owners of Jamestown Designs, put the finishing touches on the store's Christmas tree in anticipation of this weekend's open house. Photo by Jeff McDonough If you're not in the Christmas spirit yet, just wait!

This weekend's events will be just the thing to get everyone in the holiday groove. Coming on Saturday and Sunday are no fewer than a dozen different events for shoppers, music lovers, food lovers and those who just want to marvel at holiday lights twinkling against a winter sky. Don your sneakers, bring a wallet and stop by to visit all the shops, churches and outdoor events on the schedule below. Don't forget to greet Santa when he makes his first appearance of the year at East Ferry!

Saturday, Dec. 2 Holiday Open Houses Many Shops along Narragansett Avenue and at East Ferry will have treats to make everyone's shopping more festive and to get them into the holiday spirit. Craft show Saturday, 9 a.m. to

4 p.m.

Celebrate the wealth of talent that Jamestown harbors at the 29th Annual Holiday Craft Show hosted by the Conanicut Island Art Association on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2006 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Melrose Avenue School. Forty unique artists and artisans will participate. This is a chance to complete all of the home decorating and holiday shopping in one spot!

"Jamestown, with all of its natural beauty and serene environment draws many artists to the island," said Shirley Bell, chairwoman for the event. "The Holiday Craft Fair is one of several yearly events the association hosts to showcase the amazing talent that is right here on our quiet little island." Local artisans will offer a variety of mediums from watercolors and hand-knit items to topiary, jewelry, pottery and more.

Plenty of free parking is available. Food and beverages will be for sale to benefit the Jamestown PTO.

The Conanicut Island Art Association was incorporated in 1976 and boasts 200 members. The association supports the development of the arts and the work of Island artists through mentoring and teaching programs and hosts three major exhibits and events throughout the year: the Juried Art Show in July, the Craft Show in August, and the Holiday Craft Fair in December. Central Baptist to hold holiday

festival

Central Baptist Church will hold its annual Christmas Bazaar on Saturday, Dec. 2, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Among the many offerings will be holiday greenery, coffee and bagels, baked goods, Christmas decorations, local photography, and lunch at the CBC cafe. New this year will be offerings of crafts from around the world and all proceeds from this fair support local, national and international charities.

The church is excited about their new relationship with Aid to Artisans, which allowed them to purchase crafts from various artists throughout the third world. Aid to Artisans is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating economic opportunities for craftspeople in developing countries. Purchasing their products directly supports the artist who made them. The church selected about 100 of their items to sell, including ceramics from Bolivia, beaded ornaments from South Africa, spectacular gourds from Columbia, bake ware from Morocco, iron trees from Haiti, and much more. St. Mark Christmas festival

set for Dec. 2-3

St. Mark Church has set the dates for their annual Christmas Festival, which will take place on Saturday, Dec. 2, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Dec. 3 from 9 a.m. to noon.

The festival will feature Christmas wreaths, baskets and floral arrangements, as well as numerous handcrafted items, baked goods, and a raffle.

New this year will be a "Luck of the Irish Booth," and on Saturday, have lunch at the "Taste and See Café."

The Irish band Celtic Gathering will perform from noon to 1 p.m. on Saturday.

The festival will be in the church hall, lower level, 60 Narragansett Ave.

St. Matthew's to hold

Christmas bazaar

St. Matthew's Christmas Bazaar will be held in the parish hall on Saturday, Dec. 2, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Shop the bargains in handmade items such as scarves, hats, baby blankets, totes, and pet items as well as affordable small gifts, attic treasures and holiday decorations. There will be a scrumptious baked goods sale.

The highlight of this year's raffle is a large, Tudor style dollhouse beautifully restored and decorated by regional artist Elizabeth Congdon, a parishioner of St. Matthew's. Tickets can be purchased in the parish office weekday mornings or at the bazaar right up until the noon raffle drawing. Ticket holders need not be present at the time of the drawing to win.

Santa Claus is expected at 1 p.m.

Word from the North Pole is that Santa will arrive at East Ferry at 1 p.m. aboard a red lobster boat, the Nancy B, and make land at the Conanicut Marina.

Santa, assisted by his elves, is expected to make his way from the waterfront to the Conanicut Marina Ship's Store and Chandlery, where he will spend time hearing the holiday wishes of all boys and girls who show up to greet him.

Pictures will be taken with Santa, and available the following week, free of charge to parents.

All harbor vessels are invited to join in Santa's flotilla.

Band has new holiday song CD

The Jamestown Community Band has many activities coming up for the holiday season.

On Saturday, Dec. 2, at 3 p.m. the band will play in the village, to accompany carolers.

A CD recording of the band's holiday tunes, called "I'll be home for Christmas," will be available for $10 at the village concert, the CIAA Craft Fair, and at local retail outlets.

Tree lighting at 5:30 p.m.

The Jamestown Village Christmas Tree Lighting will be held Saturday, Dec. 2 , in the Village Green at East Ferry. Beginning at 5:30 p.m. there will be songs, refreshments and good cheer for everyone to herald this joyous season.

Jamestown Starry Night

The town will be lit with luminary lights starting at dusk. Sponsored by the Jamestown PTO, all proceeds from sales of the luminary kits will benefit children at

the Jamestown schools. Luminary kits are available at both school offices.

Sunday, Dec. 3

Beavertail to hold open house

The Beavertail Lighthouse Museum will open its doors to visitors on Sunday, Dec. 3, from 1 to 3 p.m.

All are invited to look at the exhibits and learn about the people and equipment that worked ceaselessly to help keep mariners safe throughout the light's more than 250 years of service.

Meet the folks who keep the light shining on this national historic site so that present and future generations will know the key role Beavertail played on Narragansett Bay night and day, during war and peace.

Enjoy the tasty refreshments presented by members of the Beavertail Lighthouse Museum Association, and shop the museum store for apparel, giftware, books, cards, jewelry reflecting a bit of the beauty and historical significance of the third lighthouse built in the United States.

For more information, contact BLMA President George Warner at 423-1278. Holiday storytelling for the

whole family

Piper Padillia, a storyteller from Newport, will give a holiday and winter story-telling program at the Jamestown library on Sunday, Dec. 3 at 3 p.m.

The event will be presented by the Friends of the Jamestown Library.

Last December Padillia visited Jamestown Philomenian Library with the author of the classic holiday picture book, Mr. Willoughby's Christmas Tree, Robert Barry. This year she will be performing here solo. Piper is a kindergarten teacher and has been a storyteller at many special events throughout the state and region. She hails from Michigan.

Light refreshments will be served at this program, which is free and open to all.